Container for loose materials and related blank

ABSTRACT

A container for loose materials made by folding a blank made of flexible material includes a concertina folding spout, hinged to the containment walls at a hinge defined by a line of weakness of the blank and configured to pass from a retracted position to an extracted position; reversible locking means are provided which are configured to reversibly fix the concertina folding spout in the retracted position to the containment walls; also provided are sealing elements configured to fix the concertina folding spout in the retracted position to the containment walls until the container is opened for the first time, after which the sealing elements permanently change their configuration from the closed configuration to an open configuration which is visible to a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container for loose materials and to a blank related to the container.

More specifically, the invention relates to a box or container made of a flexible material, preferably at least partly of cardboard, and usable to contain and dispense powder products such as detergents, for example, or small loose products such as, for example, candies, pasta, breakfast cereals or similar products.

Cardboard boxes currently used to contain and dispense products of this kind have several disadvantages.

A first disadvantage is that, in many cases, such boxes are substantially not tightly sealed, which means that if the material contained in a box of this kind is a powder, there is the possibility that some of that material will be lost to the environment.

A further disadvantage of such boxes lies in the difficulty of controlling relatively accurately the amount of product to be dispensed at any one time.

Another disadvantage common to many boxes of the above mentioned kind lies in the difficulty of directing the material being dispensed to a desired zone of use consisting, for example, of a receiving container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this invention is to provide a container of the above mentioned kind which is free of the disadvantages described above with reference to the prior art.

Provided according to this invention is a container for loose materials and a blank related to the container as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of it, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first blank which can be used to make a first type of container according to this invention;

FIGS. 1a and 1c illustrate a first type of container according to this invention in a first working configuration;

FIGS. 1b and 1d illustrate the container of FIGS. 1a and 1c in a second working configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second blank which can be used to make a second type of container according to this invention;

FIGS. 2a-2d illustrate a sequence of folding the blank of FIG. 2 which can be used to make a second type of container according to this invention;

FIG. 2e is an elevation view showing the container of FIGS. 2a -2 d;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third blank which can be used to make a third type of container according to this invention;

FIG. 3a illustrates a third type of container according to this invention in a working configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth blank which can be used to make a fourth type of container according to this invention;

FIG. 4a illustrates the container of FIG. 4 in a first working configuration;

FIG. 4b illustrates the container of FIG. 4 in a second working configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a blank made of a flexible material, for example at least partly of a paper material. The blank 1, as well as the other blanks described in this specification may be made, for example, of cardboard, of a plastic material, or of a layered material comprising, for example, a layer of paper material and at least one layer of a plastic or metallic material. Layered materials may be considered preferable particularly when the blanks in question are used to make containers adapted to contain hygroscopic materials (for example, detergent) which must be protected against moisture.

The blank 1 has a substantially rectangular shape and a portion of it located at the bottom in FIG. 1 is crossed from side to side by a transverse line of weakness 2.

Similarly, a portion of it located at the top in FIG. 1 is crossed from side to side by a transverse line of weakness 3 which, in the embodiment illustrated, is parallel to the transverse line of weakness 2. An intermediate zone of the transverse line of weakness 3 is broken by a plurality of lines of weakness, described in detail below, which run from the bottom up at different angles.

Extending downwardly from the transverse line 2 there are four rectangular lower tongues, located side by side from left to right and denoted by the reference numerals 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Each lower tongue 4, 5, 6 and 7 is separated from the one immediately adjacent to it, along the transverse line 2, by a respective cutting line 4 a, 5 a and 6 a running perpendicularly to the transverse line 2 and extending as far as the transverse line 2.

Perpendicularly to the transverse line 2, the tongues 4 and 6 are larger in size than the tongues 5 and 7.

Extending upwardly from the transverse line 2 there are four panels located side by side from left to right and denoted by the reference numerals 9, 10, 11 and 12, respectively, and which are connected to each other in successive pairs from left to right by longitudinal lines of weakness 13, 14 and 15 perpendicular to the transverse lines of weakness 2 and 3. The panels 10 and 12 are rectangular in shape and the panel 12 extends upwardly as far as the transverse line of weakness 3, whilst the panel 10 is smaller in height than the panel 12. The panels 9 and 11 extend upwardly as far as the transverse line of weakness 3 but their top corners, adjacent to the lines of weakness 13 and 14, respectively, are beveled and define respective lines of weakness 15 and 16 running at an angle to the transverse line 3.

Each panel 9, 10, 11 and 12 corresponds to a tongue 4, 5, 6 and 7, so the cutting line 4 a is the extension of the longitudinal line of weakness 13, the cutting line 5 a is the extension of the longitudinal line of weakness 14 and the cutting line 6 a is the extension of the longitudinal line of weakness 15.

Extending from the top corners of the panel 10, which are connected to each other by a line of weakness 17 parallel to the transverse lines of weakness 2 and 3, there are also two further lines of weakness 18 and 19 extending upwards and constituting respective extensions of the lines of weakness 13 and 14. The top ends of the lines of weakness 18 and 19 are situated at the same level above the transverse line of weakness 3 and are connected to each other by a line of weakness 20 which is parallel to the transverse line 3 itself. On the inner side of them, the lines of weakness 17-20 define a middle secondary panel 21 which is rectangular in shape.

The line of weakness 20 extends a short way, on both sides, beyond the lines of weakness 18 and 19 into corresponding portions 20 a defining precut lines. The ends of the precut lines 20 a outside the panel 21, located respectively to the left and right of the panel 21 are respectively connected by lines of weakness 22 and 23, with the top corners of the panel 10 defined respectively by the intersections of the lines of weakness 13, 17 and 14, 17 and define triangular secondary panels 24 and 25 respectively to the left and right of the panel 21.

To the left of the panel 24, the top ends of the lines of weakness 15 and 22 are connected by a line of weakness 26 which is inclined both to the transverse line 3 and to the line of weakness 20. On the inner side of them, the lines of weakness 15, 22 and 26 define a secondary panel 27 which is triangular in shape.

To the right of the panel 25, the top ends of the lines of weakness 16 and 23 are connected by a line of weakness 28 which is inclined both to the transverse line 3 and to the line of weakness 20. On the inner side of them, the lines of weakness 16, 23 and 28 define a secondary panel 29 which is triangular in shape.

At the top corners of the panel 10, each panel 24, 25, 27 and 29 makes the same vertex angle α.

Extending upwardly from each panel 24, 25, 27 and 29 there is a closing tongue, denoted by the reference numerals 30-33, respectively. Each closing tongue 30-33 is mutually connected to the respective triangular panel 24, 25, 27 and 29 by a respective precut line 20 a, 26, and 28.

Extending upwardly from the transverse line 3 there are four rectangular upper tongues, denoted, by the reference numerals 34-36, respectively. More specifically, the upper tongue 34 extends upwardly at the panel 9, the upper tongue 35 extends upwardly at the panel 11 and the upper tongue 36 extends upwardly at the panel 12.

The tongue 35 and the tongue 36 are separated along the transverse line 3, by a respective cutting line 36 a running perpendicularly to the transverse line 3 and extending as far as the transverse line 3.

At mutually opposite portions, each of the upper tongues 34 and 35 is associated with a further upper tongue 37, 38. A longitudinal line of weakness 39, 40 is located between the tongues 34 and 37 and the tongues 35 and 38, respectively. The upper tongue 37 extends transversely towards the upper tongue 38 for a stretch above the triangular panels 24 and 27 and the related closing tongues 30, 31. The upper tongue 38 extends transversely towards the upper tongue 37 for a stretch above the triangular panels 25 and 29 and the related closing tongues 32, 33. More specifically, a cutting line 41, preferably a broken line, divides the upper tongue 37 from the closing tongues 30, 31 and a cutting line 42, preferably a broken line, divides the upper tongue 38 from the closing tongues 32, 33.

One of the upper tongues 34-36, in particular the tongue 35, is provided with a slit 35 a defining a tuck-in tab “L”.

Extending upwardly from the line of weakness 20 there is a further closing tongue 43. In a possible embodiment, illustrated for example in FIG. 1, the closing tongue 43 may comprise a slit 44, located at a central portion of a line of weakness 45 parallel to the line of weakness 20, and two precut lines 46, 47 parallel to each other and to the line of weakness 20, which extend on each side of the closing tongue 43 to define a tear tab 48. At least one end portion of the tear tab 48 extends beyond the profile of the tongue 43 in order to facilitate gripping it.

A further closing tongue 49 extends alongside one of the panels 9, 10, 11, 12, in particular the panel 12, and is separated from the selfsame panel 12, by a further line of weakness 50 perpendicular to the transverse line 2.

The blank 1 of FIG. 1 is suitable for making a container for loose materials 100 illustrated for example in FIGS. 1a-1d . Erecting the container 100 from the blank 1 is accomplished by folding the blank 1 along the lines of weakness and fixing it in place, for example by means of adhesive material. The steps in which the blank 1 is folded will be described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2a -2 d.

The lower portion of the blank 1 of FIG. 1 corresponds to a lower portion of the container 100 obtainable from the blank 1 and the upper portion of the blank 1 corresponds to an upper portion of the container 100 obtainable from the blank 1, with reference to the upright configuration of the container 100.

The container 100 comprises containment walls defining, inside the container 100, a space which is adapted to receive the loose material. In the example of FIG. 1, the containment walls are defined by a bottom wall 101, a top wall 102 and a set of lateral faces 103-106. In the example illustrated, the lateral faces 103-106 are perpendicular to the bottom wall 101.

Each panel 9-12 of the blank 1 is adapted to constitute a lateral face 103-106 of the container 100. More specifically, the lateral faces 103-106 of the container are connected to each other along corresponding longitudinal edges 107 defined by the fold lines 13, 14, 15, 50 of the blank 1.

The bottom wall 101 is defined by successively folding the plurality of lower tongues 4, 5, 6, 7 of the blank 1, and the top wall 102 is defined by successively folding the plurality of upper tongues 34-38 of the blank 1. As shown in FIG. 1b , successively folding the plurality of upper tongues 34-38 of the blank 1 produces a top wall 102, comprising a portion 102 b parallel to the bottom wall 101 and perpendicular to the lateral faces and a portion 102 a inclined towards the bottom wall 101. The inclined portion 102 a is defined by the closing tongues 37, 38 of the blank 1 which are inclined relative to the portion 102 b defined by the closing tongues 34-36 of the blank 1.

A lower transverse edge 108 of the container 100 is defined by the line of weakness 2 of the blank 1, whilst an upper transverse edge 109 is defined by the line of weakness 3 of the blank 1.

The containment walls of the container 100 delimit at least partly a dispensing opening 110 adapted for dispensing the loose material.

With reference to the example illustrated in FIG. 1b , the dispensing opening 110 is located at the portion 102 a of the top wall 102 which is inclined relative to the bottom wall 101 and the lateral faces.

The numeral 111 denotes a concertina folding spout hinged to the containment walls by the line of weakness 17 of the blank 1 at the dispensing opening 110. In other words, the line of weakness defines a hinge 111 a by which the concertina folding spout 111 is connected to the containment walls of the container 100.

The concertina folding spout 111 is configured to pass from a retracted position, where the concertina folding spout is folded on itself and defines a cover for closing the dispensing opening 110 (FIG. 1a ), to an extracted position, where the concertina folding spout is extended, placing the internal space in communication with the outside atmosphere through the dispensing opening 110 and providing a chute for pouring out the loose material (FIG. 1b ), and vice versa.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated, the concertina folding spout 111 in the retracted position is inclined relative to the bottom wall 101 and the lateral faces and follows the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102. More specifically, the concertina folding spout 111 substantially rests on and covers both the dispensing opening 110 and at least part of, preferably the whole of, the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102.

The concertina folding spout 111 is defined by the plurality of secondary panels 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 of the blank 1 separated by the respective lines of weakness 15, 22, 18, 19, 23, 16.

The container 100 also comprises reversible locking means 112, located between the containment walls and the concertina folding spout 111 and configured to reversibly fix the concertina folding spout 111 to the containment walls in the retracted position. At least one closing tongue of the blank 1, in particular the closing tongue 43, comprises at least a portion of the reversible locking means 112. In the example of FIG. 1b , the reversible locking means 112 comprise the slit 44 of the closing tongue 43 adapted to receive the tuck-in tab “L” defined by the slit 35 a of the blank 1. Alternatively, the reversible locking means may comprise an adhesive label, not illustrated.

The container 100 also comprises sealing means 113, operatively located between the containment walls and the concertina folding spout 111 and configured to fix the concertina folding spout 111 in the retracted position to the containment walls until the container 100 is opened for the first time. After opening for the first time, the sealing means 113 permanently change their configuration from the closed configuration to an open configuration visible to a user. At least one closing tongue of the blank 1, in particular the closing tongue 43 comprising at least a portion of the reversible locking means 112, is also provided with at least a portion of the sealing means 113. In the example of FIGS. 1a and 1 c, the sealing means 113 comprise the tear tab 48 associated with the concertina folding spout 111 through the closing tab 43. The sealing means 113 may also comprise the closing tabs 30-33, fixed by gluing to the containment walls of the container and connected to the respective triangular panels 24, 25, 27 and 29 by the respective precut line 20 a, 26, 28 which will be irreversibly torn when the container 100 is opened for the first time.

When the container 100 is erected, an end portion of the closing tongue 43 is fixed stably to the top wall 102, for example by gluing. More specifically, the tongue 43 is positioned on the portion 102 b parallel to the bottom wall 101 and the concertina folding spout 111 rests on the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102.

The dispensing opening 110 is delimited by the top wall 102 and by some of the lateral faces of the container 100. Further, one edge 110 a of the dispensing opening 110 is defined by the hinge 111 a of the dispensing opening 111, that is, by the line of weakness 17 of the blank 1. An opposite edge 110 b of the dispensing opening 110 is defined by the top wall 102, in particular by the free ends of the upper tongues 37 and 38 of the blank 1, that is, by the free end of the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102.

The concertina folding spout 111 comprises a front portion 114 which is hinged to the containment walls at the hinge 111 a and two concertina portions 115 located on opposite sides of the front portion 114. More specifically, the front portion 114 is defined by the middle secondary panel 21 of the blank 1, one concertina portion 115 is defined by triangular secondary panels 24, 27 of the blank 1 and the other concertina portion 115 is defined by triangular secondary panels 25, 29 of the blank 1.

In a possible embodiment, not illustrated, there may be only one concertina portion.

As illustrated, for example in FIG. 1b , each concertina portion 115 comprises at least two wings 116 which extend uninterruptedly between the front portion 114 and the containment walls of the container between the respective lines of weakness 15, 22, 18, 19, 23, 16 of the blank 1. Each wing 116 of the concertina folding spout 111 is defined by a respective triangular secondary panel 27, 24, 25, 29 of the blank 1.

In the container 100, each closing tongue 30-33 of the triangular secondary panels 27, 24, 25, 29 (hence, of the wings 116 of the concertina folding spout 111) is fixed stably to the containment walls, in particular to the top wall 102. Preferably, each closing tongue 30-33 of the triangular secondary panels 27, 24, 25, 29 is fixed stably to the portion 102 b of the top wall 102 parallel to the bottom wall 101.

The front portion 114 of the concertina folding spout 111, defined in the blank 1 by the middle secondary panel 21, is made in the blank 1 as an extension of the panel 10 corresponding to what will become a lateral face of the container. Alternatively, the front portion 114 of the concertina folding spout 111 may be made in the blank 1 as an extension of an upper tongue corresponding to what will become the top wall 102.

As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1a and 1c , each concertina portion 115 is configured to be folded parallel to the hinge. As a result, in the retracted position, each concertina portion 115 lies in a plane containing the hinge. More specifically, the concertina portions 115, in the retracted position, are positioned between the front portion 114 and the top wall 102 and are not, therefore, visible from the outside.

In the changeover from FIG. 1a to FIG. 1b , the closing tongues 30-33 remain stably glued to the top wall 102, after tearing the tear tab 48, as does an end portion of the closing tab 43. Reversible closing is thus achieved by the slit 44 and the tab “L”.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second blank 1′, which is used to make a second type of container, denoted by the reference numeral 200. The blank 1′ has numerous components in common with the blank 1, which are denoted in FIG. 2 by the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1. The components in common will not be described further, since they have already been described with reference to the blank 1 of FIG. 1. The container 200 also has numerous components in common with the container 100, which are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The blank 1′ of FIG. 2 differs from the blank 1 of FIG. 1 in the additional components which are described below.

Between the panel 12 and the closing tongue 49 there is a rectangular panel 51, which can be partly superposed on the panel 9 when the container 200 is erected, and a rectangular panel 52. Lines of weakness 53 and 54 are alternated with the panels 12, 51 and 52.

Compared to the panel 51 adjacent to it, the panel 52 extends in a longitudinal direction (perpendicularly to the transverse line of weakness 2) for a smaller length. More specifically, a lower edge 55 is located at a distance “d” from a lower edge 56 of the panel 51 which constitutes an extension of the transverse line of weakness 2. Also, the panel 51 extends along the transverse line 2 for a width “X” which is smaller than the width “Y” of the panel 9.

The container 200 is obtained in accordance with the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2d , where, for clarity, only some of the reference numerals are shown. The sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 2a-2d also applies to erecting the container 100, with the differences described below.

The view from above of FIG. 1c also applies to the container 200, as do the two perspective views of FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

The container 200 differs from the container 100 of FIG. 1a in that it also comprises measuring means 217 adapted to dispense one measured quantity of loose material at a time and configured to divide the internal space “V” of the container into a primary chamber 218 and a secondary chamber 219. The secondary chamber 219 is in communication with the dispensing opening 110. The primary chamber 218 and the secondary chamber 219 are in communication with each other through a connecting opening 220 on the side of the container opposite to the dispensing opening 110. The dimensions of the connecting opening 220 are chosen as a function of the measured quantity of loose material to be dispensed.

More specifically, the dispensing opening 110 is located on a top portion of the container and the measuring means 217 comprise a partition 221 located inside the containing space “V” to separate the primary chamber 218 from the secondary chamber 219. The partition 221 is defined by the panel 52 of the blank 1′. In the erected configuration of the container 200, the partition 221 extends from the top portion towards the bottom wall 101 of the container and as far as a predetermined distance from the bottom wall, corresponding to the distance “d” identified in the blank 1′. That way, the connecting opening 220 is delimited at least partly between the bottom wall 101 and the partition 221.

In the example illustrated, the dispensing opening 110 is delimited by the top wall 102 and by some of the lateral faces of the container 200. Further, the partition 221 extends from one edge of the dispensing opening 110, and more specifically, from the edge 110 b defined by the top wall 102. One edge 110 b of the dispensing opening 110 is defined by the top wall 102, in particular by the free ends of the upper tongues 37 and 38 of the blank 1, which are in contact with the upper end of the partition 221. In other words, one edge 110 b of the dispensing opening 110 is defined by the free end of the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102 in contact with the upper end of the partition 221.

In the example illustrated, the lateral faces 103-106 and the partition 221 are positioned perpendicularly to the bottom wall 101, and the partition 221 extends across two opposite lateral faces.

FIG. 3a illustrates a container 300 which has numerous components in common with the container 100. These components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used for the container 100.

Unlike the containers described above, the dispensing opening 110 is made in a portion 102 b of the top wall 102 positioned parallel to the bottom wall 101 so that the concertina folding spout 111 in the retracted position is positioned parallel to the bottom wall 101. More specifically, the entire top wall 102 is positioned parallel to the bottom wall 101.

The container 300 also comprises the measuring means 217, and more specifically, the partition 221, similarly to what is described above with reference to the container 200. More specifically, the partition 221 extends towards the bottom wall 101 starting from the edge 110 b of the dispensing opening 110, uninterruptedly from the top wall 102.

In this embodiment, the reversible locking means 112 are located underneath the sealing means 113 in the closed configuration, before opening for the first time, so that opening for the first time makes the reversible locking means 112 accessible. This solution may be applied to any embodiment of the container, even explicitly described. In FIG. 3a , the tear tab 48 has been lifted and removed, making the reversible locking means 112 accessible.

The blank 1″ relating to the container 300 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The components which are functionally similar to the blank 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the panels 9-12 are those corresponding to what will become the lateral faces 103-106 of the container 300, the panel 52 is the one corresponding to what will become the partition 221 of the measuring means, and the panels 21, 27, 24, 25, 29 are those corresponding to what will become the concertina folding spout 111. A further panel 60 is designed to be internally superposed on the panel 9, and further panels 61-63 connect the panels 60, 52 and 9, separated by respective lines of weakness 64-68. Upper tongues 69-72 correspond to what will become the top wall 102. More specifically, the tear tab 48 is made in the upper tongue 70 designed to be externally superposed on the secondary panel 21.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a container 400. The container 400 has numerous components in common with the container 100, which are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The dispensing opening 110 is situated in a portion 102 a of the top wall 102 positioned at an angle to the bottom wall 101 so that the concertina folding spout 411 in the retracted position is set at an angle to the bottom wall 101 and follows the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102. More specifically, the entire top wall 102 is positioned at an angle to the bottom wall 101. Preferably, the concertina folding spout 411 substantially rests on and covers both the dispensing opening 110 and at least part of, preferably the whole of, the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102.

The tongue 43 is positioned on a lateral face of the container and the concertina folding spout 411 rests on the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102.

The dispensing opening 110 is delimited by the top wall 102 and by some of the lateral faces of the container. Further, one edge 110 a of the dispensing opening 110 is defined by the hinge 411 a of the concertina folding spout 411. An opposite edge 110 b of the dispensing opening 110 is defined by the top wall 102, in particular by the free end of the inclined portion 102 a of the top wall 102.

The container 400 also comprises the measuring means 217, and in particular, the partition 221, similarly to what is described above with reference to the container 200, and the measuring means 217 are not specifically illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b . More specifically, the partition 221 extends towards the bottom wall 101 starting from the edge 110 b of the dispensing opening 110, uninterruptedly from the top wall 102.

Also in the container 400, each concertina portion 415 is configured to be folded perpendicularly to the hinge 411 a, so that, in the retracted position, the concertina portion 415 lies in a plane perpendicular to the hinge 411 a itself, and in particular, is parallel to one of the lateral faces of the container, as shown in FIG. 4 b.

More in detail, the concertina folding spout 411 defines a bistable, snap open and close spout.

According to one way of obtaining this snap opening and closing action, each concertina portion 415 comprises a wing 416 adjacent to the front portion 414 which extends uninterruptedly between the front portion 414 and a lateral face of the container 400 between respective lines of weakness of the blank 1′″. Each concertina portion 415 also comprises a portion of the lateral face of the container, corresponding for example to the triangular portion 422 extending beyond the top wall 102.

The related blank 1′″ is illustrated in FIG. 4. The components which are functionally similar to the blank 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that there is a single upper tongue 57 adapted to define the top wall 102 of the container 400, and that the tongue 57 extends uninterruptedly from the panel 52 through a line of weakness 58. Further, the secondary panels 24, 25 correspond to what will become respective wings 416 of the concertina portion 415, whilst each of the zones labeled 59 corresponds to what will become the portion of the lateral face of the container corresponding, for example, to the triangular portion 422 extending beyond the top wall 102. 

1. A container for loose materials made by folding a blank made of flexible material, comprising: containment walls defining inside the container an internal space adapted for receiving the loose material, wherein the containment walls delimit at least partially a dispensing opening adapted for dispensing the loose material; a concertina folding spout, hinged to the containment walls at a hinge defined by a line of weakness of the blank at the dispensing opening and configured to pass, in use, from a retracted position, where the concertina folding spout is folded on itself and defines a cover for closing the dispensing opening, to an extracted position, where the concertina folding spout is extended, placing the internal space in communication with the outside atmosphere through the dispensing opening and providing a chute for pouring out the loose material, and vice versa; reversible locking means, located between the containment walls and the concertina folding spout and configured to reversibly fix the concertina folding spout in the retracted position to the containment walls; and sealing means located between the containment walls and the concertina folding spout and configured to fix the concertina folding spout in the retracted position to the containment walls until the container is opened for the first time, after which the sealing means permanently change their configuration from the closed configuration to an open configuration which is visible to a user.
 2. The container for loose materials according to claim 1, comprising measuring means adapted for dispensing one measured quantity of loose material at a time and configured to subdivide the internal space inside the container into a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, wherein the secondary chamber, is in communication with the dispensing opening and wherein the primary chamber and the secondary chamber are in communication with each other through a connecting opening located on the side of the container opposite to the dispensing opening.
 3. The container for loose materials according to claim 2, wherein the dimensions of the connecting opening are chosen as a function of the measured quantity of loose material to be dispensed.
 4. The container for loose materials according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing opening is located in a top portion of the container and wherein the measuring means comprise a partition located in the containment space to separate the primary chamber from the secondary chamber and extending from the top portion towards a bottom wall of the container up to a predetermined distance from the bottom wall, so that the connecting opening is delimited at least partly by the bottom wall and by the partition.
 5. The container for loose materials according to claim 4, wherein the dispensing opening is delimited by a top wall and by lateral faces of the container and wherein the partition extends from one edge of the dispensing opening, preferably defined by the top wall.
 6. The container for loose materials according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing opening is made in a portion of the top wall positioned parallel to the bottom wall.
 7. The container for loose materials according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing opening is located in a portion of the top wall positioned at an angle to the bottom wall.
 8. The container for loose materials according to claim 5, wherein the lateral faces and the partition are positioned perpendicular to the bottom wall and wherein the partition extends transversely between two opposite lateral faces.
 9. The container for loose materials according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening is delimited by a top wall and by lateral faces of the container and wherein one edge of the dispensing opening is defined by the hinge of the concertina folding spout.
 10. The container for loose materials according to claim 9, wherein the concertina folding spout comprises a front portion which is hinged to the containment walls at the hinge and at least one concertina portion preferably two concertina portions located on opposite sides of the front portion.
 11. The container for loose materials according to claim 10, wherein the concertina portion comprises at least two wings which extend uninterruptedly between the front portion and the containment walls of the container between respective lines of weakness of the blank.
 12. The container for loose materials according to claim 11, wherein each wing of the concertina portion comprises a closing tongue which is separated from the respective wing by a precut line of the blank, and wherein each closing tongue is permanently fixed to the containment walls of the container.
 13. The container for loose materials according to claim 10, wherein the concertina portion comprises a wing adjacent to the front portion, extending uninterruptedly between the front portion and a lateral face of the container between respective lines of weakness of the blank and a portion of the lateral face of the container.
 14. The container for loose materials according to claim 9, wherein the front portion is made in the blank as an extension of a panel which will form a lateral face or as an upper tongue which will form a top wall of the container.
 15. The container for loose materials according to claim 9, wherein the concertina portion is configured to be folded parallel to the hinge in such a way that, in the retracted position, the concertina portion lies in a plane containing the hinge.
 16. The container for loose materials according to claim 9, wherein the concertina portion is configured to be folded perpendicularly to the hinge in such a way that, in the retracted position, the concertina portion lies in a plane perpendicular to the hinge.
 17. The container for loose materials according to claim 16, wherein the concertina folding spout defines a bistable, snap open and close spout.
 18. The container for loose materials according to claim 8, wherein the dispensing opening is made in a portion the top wall positioned parallel to the bottom wall so that the concertina folding spout the retracted position is positioned parallel to the bottom wall.
 19. The container for loose materials according to claim 8, wherein the dispensing opening is made in a portion of the top wall positioned at an angle to the bottom wall so that the concertina folding spout in the retracted position is positioned at an angle to the bottom wall.
 20. The container for loose materials according to claim 19, wherein an edge opposite to the dispensing opening is defined by the free end of the inclined portion of the top wall and the concertina folding spout in the retracted position rests on and covers both the dispensing opening and at least part of, preferably the whole of, the inclined portion of the top wall.
 21. The container loose materials according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprise a tear tab associated with the concertina folding spout.
 22. The container for loose materials according to claim 21, wherein the sealing means further comprise closing tongues which are fixed by gluing to the containment walls of the container and joined to a concertina portion of the concertina folding spout.
 23. The container for loose materials according to claim 1, wherein the reversible locking means are located underneath the sealing means in the closed configuration, before opening for the first time, so that opening for the first time makes the reversible locking means accessible.
 24. A blank for making a container for loose materials according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of panels, each adapted to define a lateral face of the container; a plurality of upper tongues adapted to define a top wall of the container following consecutive folding of the plurality of upper tongues; a plurality of lower tongues adapted to define a bottom wall of the container following consecutive folding of the plurality of lower tongues; a sequence of secondary panels separated by respective lines of weakness and adapted to define the concertina folding spout; at least one closing tongue comprising at least a portion of the reversible locking means; and at least one closing tongue comprising at least a portion of the sealing means.
 25. The blank according to claim 24, wherein a single closing tongue comprises at least a portion of the sealing means and of the reversible locking means.
 26. The blank according to claim 24, wherein the sequence of secondary panels comprises a middle panel adapted to define a front portion of the concertina folding spout and at least one triangular panel adapted to define a wing of a concertina portion of the concertina folding spout.
 27. The blank according to claim 24, comprising a panel which will form a partition of measuring means of the container.
 28. The blank according to claim 24, made of layered material comprising at least one layer of paper material and at least one layer of plastic or metallic material. 